Do: Watch your Shorts

Last night I rounded up the closest people I could find and took them with me to Shorts, the national week long short film festival held annually right here in Adelaide. I would suggest you do the same but I can't take any responsibility for who you might be close to right now. And unfortunately the rest of this year's sessions are now completely sold out. Luckily there's always next year. Here's what you can expect.

Cheap tickets. $15 full/$12 concession. That's less than $1.50 per movie.

A town hall. Town halls are always a bit of an unknown. Where do all those stairs take you? What's behind those doors? When will the town ghost make an appearance?

Round tables. You're all equals here. Film critic, film maker, film watcher.

A big screen. Quite important for a film festival. You don't even have to BYO iPad or similar, here you can watch on a good old fashioned material screen.

Drinks and food. From the talented Let Them Eat team, platters are available in all your top hit varieties. Drinks flow from near and far. No popcorn, but we did find some darn cute choc tops. Can choc tops be cute? You decide.

Short films. Oh yeah, there are some films to watch. Usually when the lights go dark you know it's time to get down to business. All genres are represented without discrimination, with story lines neatly wrapped up in ten minutes flat. Or thereabouts.

Opinions. The great things is that everyone has one. The not so great thing is that everyone has one.

Bathroom line ups. Well it can't be a movie night without a bladder close to bursting. Some things always stay the same.

Like, camera, action! If you're so inclined. Support the arts, the people behind them and the people bringing these festivals to a town you're in.

Eat: Wake up and Grind It

Awake from a slumber! Sleeping is great. Sometimes waking up isn't so great. But breakfast should be. Especially if you can wangle a seat at Grind It on a beautiful sunny autumn weekend.

Grind It at Glenelg is a very popular spot and rightly so. The food is fantastic. The chai lattes are perfect. The find and secure a seat game is strategic. This is not a place for people in a rush or groups of more than four but, if you've got time up your sleeve and friends who don't mind bumping elbows, you will be rewarded. Eventually.

Here's what you might like to order. From top left clockwise – Fruit salad & yoghurt, French toast with fresh pear, Club BLT with avocado & poached egg and Polenta Johnny cakes.

Our share plate spin on the Johnny cakes.

I've been steadily making my way through the menu on each of my visits and I'm yet to be disappointed. Two thumbs up.

Giveaway: You've made it half way

This weekend, Adelaide is going to be crazy. Not only have we welcomed the entire 2012 Australian Olympic Swimming Team to town, we are also hosting the NAB Cup Grand Final at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night, it’s the last weekend of The Festivals and The End of The World, not to mention St Pat’s Day which is sure to bring some interesting characters, some interesting wigs and some interestingly coloured beer to the city streets.

So in celebration of all this madness, and to celebrate having made it half way through March in one piece, I’m doing a little giveaway!

Here’s the deal, leave a comment below about your favourite Mad March experience – past, present or future – and you’ll go into the draw for two tickets to tomorrow night's sold out Australian Swimming Championships Night Session, Saturday 17th March. Can Ian Thorpe do it? Can he book his ticket direct to London? Be there to witness all the action live!

A little note: Entries close at midnight CST tonight (16/3/12). Winner will be chosen at random via an independent number generator. I have purchased these tickets myself and will email the PDF copy of tickets directly to the winner by 10am tomorrow (17/3/12). Click here for the schedule of event finals.

Good luck!

Update: This giveaway has now closed. Congratulations Ali! The tickets are on their way to you! 

Must Do: The Vinteloper Urban Winery Project

It’s not just another day in Adelaide when you stumble across a Pop Up Winery.

Part art installation, part working micro winery, part tasting bar. The Vinteloper Urban Winery Project is a free public space for use however attendees see fit. From a unique and casual meeting spot to hands on production, you choose how dirty you want to get.

Since Vinteloper’s first release in 2009, winemaker David Bowley has been bringing his passion, enthusiasm and talent to the general public in exciting and interesting formats. Just like his ADELO varietal blend, the more obscure an idea may sound, the better it seems to turn out. From the infamous Great Pinot Pick to Intimate New Release Tasting Sessions and now, with his best idea yet, the Vinteloper Urban Winery Project.

What’s the image you have in your head right now? If it’s rustic, if it’s a little bit alternative, and a whole lotta cool, well then heck, you’re pretty much spot on.

Running until April 1, this is a rare, conceptual event that you really don’t want to miss.

The Vinteloper Urban Winery Project
Noon to midnight daily
188 Grenfell St, Adelaide
Follow the happenings on twitter #VUWP

Taste: Cellar Door Wine Festival

I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. Gosh darn, it is HOT in Adelaide! I'd love to know how you escaped the heat this weekend? I trust air-conditioning was involved..

Yesterday I took my heavy head and slightly tired body (see Fringe opening night) to the Convention Centre on North Tce. This year it forms part of the Fringe's newest precinct, The Big Slapple.

The Cellar Door Wine Festival is in its second year and here's hoping it stays around for a long while. Providing a fantastic chance to taste wine, beer and cider from far and wide regions of the state, it's like the ultimate wine tour where everyone's invited.

By prepurchasing our entry tickets, we bypassed the short line up for admission and waltzed straight through. We then collected our glasses and event passports. We were in. I love a well organised event, especially one filled with passionate people who live and breath the love of their industry. The talent is tangible.

Four hours passed quickly in a whirl of tastings, talking, temptations and toilet breaks. I tried a lot. Learnt a lot. And that doesn't even include fortified hour.

Don't worry if you haven't been yet. There's still time! Although you might find some stands unattended later in the day, apparently there are some grapes ready to be picked…



Last day today, 11am-6pm
Tickets available at the door

Fringe: Why don't you?

The buzz has been building. Some people have already seen a show or two. But Fringe official opening night is TONIGHT. People and parties pulling in every direction! Complete madness awaits. And someone turned on the weather all right!

If you’re heading to the east end of town tonight, why don’t you…

• Enjoy a glass of refreshing lemonade from the little van that could. Or pick up something a little stronger from East End Cellars.

• Take a picnic in the beautiful Botanic Gardens before the sun sets.

• Make a quick buck. Sneak into The Stag early and they’ll pay you!

• Capture a different view at the Garden of Unearthly Delights. Atop the Ferris Wheel? Or take a PEEP? 

• Grab a bargain. There’s still time to purchase $5 opening night tickets!

• Or maybe you’ll chance it on some late night Gluttony?

Have fun, stay safe and let the night lead you astray. Maybe I’ll see you there?

Icons: The Leicester's Schnitzels

In Adelaide, there is a place where legends are made. Men and women gather to measure their worth against the might and power of the holy schnitzel. Mysteriously oversized pieces or meat, crumbed and fried to perfection, await their fate.

The Earl of Leicester lies in the leafy streets of Parkside, minutes from the city's edge. Famous or infamous, depending on who you ask, one thing the locals agree on here is that size matters. You might want to start small. I won't assume to know what impresses your friends, but sooner or later the mind games begin.

Choose your prey. Chicken or beef.
Wait patiently. This place gets busy.
Attack. Etiquette, please.
Breathe. It's only a race if someone calls it early.

The challenge is on. But even if you fail, the good news is that you can always come back and try again next week. Even legends are allowed an off day.